बाल-काण्ड > नारद जी का वाल्मीकि जी को संक्षेप में श्री राम चरित्र सुनाना



Divine sage Narada arrives at the hermitage of Sage Valmiki in order to enlighten him and keep him informed of his duty to author the epic poem Ramayana. In the dialogue between these two sages, Valmiki elicits from Narada about most virtuous person on earth, namely Rama. In this opening chapter, while eulogizing Rama Narada gives an outline of Ramayana, truly highlighting those aspects that are the keynotes in this epic, like virtuosity, generosity, morality, chastity and the like.
Valmiki Ramayana is said to have been composed basing on each of the twenty-four letters of Gayatri Hymn, and a thousand verses are arranged into one book under the caption of each letter. Though that classification, or dividing verses into thousand chapters is unavailable now, the twenty-four verses identified with the 24 letters of Gayatri hymn, called as Gayatri Ramayana, is available and it is given in the endnote of this page. In tune with the scheme of Gayatri, Ramayana starts the first verse with letter ta an auspicious letter.
We have taken every care to present this translation truthfully, but when working with machines, they start to exhibit their talents on the very first key-stroke, like 'Auto Correct, Auto Complete, Auto Insert etc.,' and thus start correcting words like 'high souled one' to 'high-soled one...' and the like. So taking the maxim pramaado api dhiimataam 'even the diligent may make mistakes...' we appeal to the readers to kindly inform us if anything has gone wrong any where, typos, and 'is' becoming 'was', 'are' becoming 'were' and the like, so that they will be corrected, true to the text and spirit of Ramayana.

तपः स्वाध्याय निरताम् तपस्वी वाग्विदाम् वरम् |
नारदम् परिपप्रच्छ वाल्मीकिः मुनि पुंगवम् || १-१-१
A thoughtful-meditator, an eternally studious sage in scriptures about the Truth and Untruth, a sagacious thinker, and a sublime enunciator among all expert enunciators is Narada, and with such a Divine Sage Narada, the Sage-Poet Valmiki is inquisitively enquiring about a man who is a composite for all merited endowments in his form and calibre. [1-1-1]
कः नु अस्मिन् सांप्रतम् लोके गुणवान् कः च वीर्यवान् |
धर्मज्ञः च कृतज्ञः च सत्य वाक्यो धृढ व्रतः || १-१-२
"Who really is that person in this present world, who is principled and also a potential one, a conscientious one, a redeemer, and also a truth-teller and self-determined in his deed... [1-1-2]
चारित्रेण च को युक्तः सर्व भूतेषु को हितः |
विद्वान् कः कः समर्थः च कः च एक प्रिय दर्शनः || १-१-३
"Who is he conduct-wise blent with good-conduct... who in respect of all beings is benign... who is adept and also the ablest one... also uniquely good to look to... [1-1-3]
आत्मवान् को जित क्रोधो द्युतिमान् कः अनसूयकः |
कस्य बिभ्यति देवाः च जात रोषस्य संयुगे || १-१-४
"Who is that courageous one, who controlled his ire, who is brilliant, non-jealous and even whom do the gods fear, when provoked to war... [1-1-4]
एतत् इच्छामि अहम् श्रोतुम् परम् कौतूहलम् हि मे |
महर्षे त्वम् समर्थोऽसि ज्ञातुम् एवम् विधम् नरम् || १-१-५
"All this I wish to listen from you, oh! Great Sage, as you are a mastermind to know this kind of man, and indeed my inquisitiveness is immense..." Thus Valmiki enquired with Narada. [1-1-5]
श्रुत्वा च एतत् त्रिलोकज्ञो वाल्मीकेः नारदो वचः |
श्रूयताम् इति च आमंत्र्य प्रहृष्टो वाक्यम् अब्रवीत् || १-१-६
On listening all those words of Valmiki, the preceptor of all the three worlds, Sage Narada, said "let it be heard..." and beckoning at Sage Valmiki to listen attentively, he spoke these words very gladly. [1-1-6]
बहवो दुर्लभाः च एव ये त्वया कीर्तिता गुणाः |
मुने वक्ष्ष्यामि अहम् बुद्ध्वा तैः उक्तः श्रूयताम् नरः || १-१-७
"Oh! Sage Valmiki, the merits which you have extolled are many, and unattainable even for great emperors, let alone ordinary humans, and also infinite are they... but, about such a man with such merits I will speak on... for I, having known from Brahma of such a man, will make clear about that man..." Thus Narada started to say. [1-1-7]
इक्ष्वाकु वंश प्रभवो रामो नाम जनैः श्रुतः |
नियत आत्मा महावीर्यो द्युतिमान् धृतिमान् वशी || १-१-८
"One emerged from Ikshvaku dynasty and known to people as Rama by his name, and he is conscientious, highly valorous, resplendent, steadfast and a controller of vice and vile... and his own senses, as well... [1-1-8]
बुद्धिमान् नीतिमान् वाङ्ग्मी श्रीमान् शत्रु निबर्हणः |
विपुलांसो महाबाहुः कंबु ग्रीवो महाहनुः || १-१-९
"He is an adept one, moralist, learned, propitious, and a destroyer of enemies. His arms are lengthy, and his neck is like a conch-shell, and cheekbones high... [1-1-9]
महोरस्को महेष्वासो गूढ जत्रुः अरिन्दमः |
आजानु बाहुः सुशिराः सुललाटः सुविक्रमः || १-१-१०
"He is lion-chested, thick-shouldered, knee-length are his arms, and his is longbow, an enemy-subjugator, and his emperor's countenance is with a crowning-head with an ample forehead, and his pacing is lion-like... [1-1-10]
समः सम विभक्त अंगः स्निग्ध वर्णः प्रतापवान् |
पीन वक्षा विशालाक्षो लक्ष्मीवान् शुभ लक्षणः || १-१-११
"He is medium-sized physically, with limbs poised symmetrically, sinew-chested, wide-eyed, complexioned glossily... he is a prosperous personality with all the providential features, and thus he is self-resplendent... [1-1-11]
धर्मज्ञः सत्य सन्धः च प्रजानाम् च हिते रतः |
यशस्वी ज्ञान संपन्नः शुचिः वश्यः समाधिमान् || १-१-१२
"He is the knower of rectitude, bidden by the truth, also his concern is in the welfare of subjects, proficient in prudence, clean in his conduct, self-controlled and a diligent one, thus he is glorious... [1-1-12]
प्रजापति समः श्रीमान् धता रिपु निषूदनः |
रक्षिता जीवलोकस्य धर्मस्य परि रक्षिता|| १-१-१३
"He equals the Omniscient, he is an exalted one for he is the sustainer of all worlds, and he eliminates enemies completely, thus he is a guardian of all living beings and he guards probity, in its entirety... [1-1-13]
रक्षिता स्वस्य धर्मस्य स्व जनस्य च रक्षिता |
वेद वेदाङ्ग तत्त्वज्ञो धनुर् वेदे च निष्ठितः || १-१-१४
"He is the champion of his own self-righteousness and also champions for adherent's welfare in the same righteousness, and he is a scholar in the essence of Veda-s and their ancillaries, too. He is an expert in dhanur Veda, the Art of Archery... [1-1-14]
सर्व शास्त्र अर्थ तत्त्वज्ञो स्मृतिमान् प्रतिभानवान् |
सर्वलोक प्रियः साधुः अदीनाअत्मा विचक्षणः || १-१-१५
"He is the knower of the meaning and essence of all the scriptures, excellent at memory thus brilliant, and an esteemed one in all the worlds, gentle, level-headed and clear-headed in discriminating and distinguishing... [1-1-15]
सर्वदा अभिगतः सद्भिः समुद्र इव सिन्धुभिः |
अर्यः सर्वसमः च एव सदैव प्रिय दर्शनः || १-१-१६
"Like an ocean that is reached by many rivers accesbly, that reverential one too is always accessible and reachable by clean-minded ones, and he treats all equally, and ever a feast to eye... [1-1-16]
स च सर्व गुणोपेतः कौसल्य आनंद वर्धनः |
समुद्र इव गाम्भीर्ये धैर्येण हिमवान् इव || १-१-१७
"He who betters the happiness of his mother Kausalya is an embodiment of all noble merits, and in profundity he is like an unfathomable ocean, and by fortitude he is unalterable like the kingly Himalayan mountain... [1-1-17]
विष्णुना सदृशो वीर्ये सोमवत् प्रिय दर्शनः |
काल अग्नि सदृशः क्रोधे क्षमया पृथ्वी समः || १-१-१८
धनदेन समः त्यागे सत्ये धर्म इव अपरः |
"In valour Rama is comparable with Vishnu, and in his looks he is attractive like full-moon, he equals the earth in his perseverance, but he is matchable with era-end-fire in his wrath... and in benevolence he is identical to Kubera, God of Wealth-Management, and in his candour he is like Dharma itself, the other God Probity on earth... [1-1-18, 19a]
तम् एवम् गुण संपन्नम् रामम् सत्य पराक्रमम् || १-१-१९
ज्येष्टम् श्रेष्ट गुणैः युक्तम् प्रियम् दशरथः सुतम् |
प्रकृतीनाम् हितैः युक्तम् प्रकृति प्रिय कांयया || १-१-२०
यौव राज्येन संयोक्तुम् ऐच्छत् प्रीत्या महीपतिः |
"Rama being the possessor of suchlike merits, whose truthfulness alone is his courage, embodied with best intrinsic values, ever involved in the welfare of people, besides being the dear and eldest son of Dasharatha, and hence the king Dasharatha affectionately intended to establish such a Rama as crown prince to all intents and purposes of country's welfare...[1-1-29b, 20, 21a]
तस्य अभिषेक संभारान् दृष्ट्वा भार्या अथ कैकयी || १-१-२१
पूर्वम् दत्त वरा देवी वरम् एनम् अयाचत |
विवासनम् च रामस्य भरतस्य अभिषेचनम् || १-१-२२
"Then on seeing the arrangements for the anointment of Rama as crown-prince, Kaikeyi, the dear wife and a queen of Dasharatha, claimed boons that were once accorded to her by Dasharatha, which are the banishment of Rama and anointment of Bharata. [1-2-21b 22]
स सत्य वचनात् राजा धर्म पाशेन संयतः |
विवासयामास सुतम् रामम् दशरथः प्रियम् || १-१-२३
"Bound by the truthfulness of his plighted word and by the halter of righteousness that king Dasharatha exiled his dear son Rama to forests. [1-1-23]
स जगाम वनम् वीरः प्रतिज्ञाम् अनुपालयन् |
पितुर् वचन निर्देशात् कैकेय्याः प्रिय कारणात् || १-१-२४
"Such a brave one as he is, that Rama repaired to forest for the reason of appeasing Kaikeyi, and as directed by the verbal directive of his father, and to follow his father's word of honour. [1-1-24]
तम् व्रजंतम् प्रियो भ्राता लक्ष्मणः अनुजगाम ह |
स्नेहात् विनय संपन्नः सुमित्र आनंद वर्धनः || १-१-२५
भ्रातरम् दयितो भ्रातुः सौभ्रात्रम् अनु दर्शयन् |
"In whom humbleness and the natural brotherly affection of a brother are abounding, such a fondly younger brother of Rama, namely Lakshmana, indeed heartily followed his forest going brother Rama, exemplifying the ideals of brotherhood, thus augmenting the happiness of his mother Sumitra. [1-1-25, 26a]
रामस्य दयिता भार्या नित्यम् प्राण समा हिता || १-१-२६
जनकस्य कुले जाता देव मायेव निर्मिता |
सर्व लक्षण संपन्ना नारीणाम् उत्तमा वधूः || १-१-२७
सीताप्य अनुगता रामम् शशिनम् रोहिणी यथा |
"Seetha, the best one among ladies, a possessor of all best qualities befitting to an ideal lady, the one who is as though fashioned by a Divine marvel, born in Janaka's family and became Dasharatha's daughter-in-law, and she who is the loving wife and an ever-amiable alter ego of Rama, even she followed Rama to forests, as with Lady Rohini following the Moon... [1-1-26b, 27, 28a]
पौरैः अनुगतो दूरम् पित्रा दशरथेन च || १-१-२८
शृन्गिबेर पुरे सूतम् गंगा कूले व्यसर्जयत् |
गुहम् आसाद्य धर्मात्मा निषाद अधिपतिम् प्रियम् || १-१-२९
गुहेअन सहितो रामो लक्ष्मणेन च सीतया |
"The citizens of Ayodhya and even his father Dasharatha have followed that virtue-souled Rama for a distance when he started on his exile. Later Rama reached the tribal chief named Guha, who has a liking for Rama, on the bank of River Ganga in a town called Sringaberapura. And when Rama is teamed with Guha, Lakshmana and Seetha, he left off the charioteer and a minister of his father who charioted them thitherto, namely Sumantra. [1-1-28b, 29, 30a]
ते वनेन वनम् गत्वा नदीः तीर्त्वा बहु उदकाः || १-१-३०
चित्रकूटम् अनुप्राप्य भरद्वाजस्य शासनात् |
रंयम् आवसथम् कृत्वा रममाणा वने त्रयः || १-१-३१
देव गन्धर्व संकाशाः तत्र ते न्यवसन् सुखम् |
"That trio of Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana on treading forest after forest, and on crossing rivers with plethoric waters, reached the hermitage of Sage Bharadwaja, and by the ordainment of that sage they arrived at Chitrakuta, and setting up a handsome cottage there, they who have enjoyed every comfort in Ayodhya enjoyed every comfort here also in no less a degree and that trio lived happily and exuberated themselves in woods at Chitrakuta, similar to gods and celestials... [1-1-30b, 31, 32a]
चित्रकूटम् गते रामे पुत्र शोक आतुरः तथा || १-१-३२
राजा दशरथः स्वर्गम् जगाम विलपन् सुतम् |
"On Rama's going to Chitrakuta thus, King Dasharatha is aggrieved by the grief for son and went to heavens grieving for son... [1-1-32b, 33a]
गते तु तस्मिन् भरतो वसिष्ठ प्रमुखैः द्विजैः || १-१-३३
नियुज्यमानो राज्याय न इच्छत् राज्यम् महाबलः |
स जगाम वनम् वीरो राम पाद प्रसादकः || १-१-३४
"On Dasharatha's departure to heavens, though Sage Vashishta and other Brahmans have impressed upon him for his investiture in kingship, and even though he is highly effectual to rule such a kingdom, he that Bharata refused the kingdom, and that self-denying Bharata, for he is aloft the greed, grouse, and gripe, went to forests to pray for mercy at the feet of Rama... [1-1-33b. 34]
गत्वा तु स महात्मानम् रामम् सत्य पराक्रमम् |
अयाचत् भ्रातरम् रामम् आर्य भाव पुरस्कृतः || १-१-३५
त्वम् एव राजा धर्मज्ञ इति रामम् वचः अब्रवीत् |
"But on reaching that great-souled Rama, who is a vanquisher just by his truthfulness, Bharata humbly and reverentially begged of his brother, and the avowed word of Bharata is this, 'oh! Knower of Probity, you alone shall be the king... ' [1-1-35, 36a]
रामोऽपि परमोदारः सुमुखः सुमहायशाः || १-१-३६
न च इच्छत् पितुर् आदेशात् राज्यम् रामो महाबलः |
"Even though Rama is a really benevolent one, even though he is a readily willing one, even though he is a greatly reputed one for endowments, even though he is a highly capable endower of whatever sought by his adherers, even then Rama did not desire the kingdom, to keep up his own pledge and also owing to his father's directives... [1-1-36b, 37a]
पादुके च अस्य राज्याय न्यासम् दत्त्वा पुनः पुनः || १-१-३७
निवर्तयामास ततो भरतम् भरत अग्रजः |
"On giving his sandals to that Bharata for custodial care of kingdom till his return after the period of exile, then the elder brother of Bharata, namely Rama, persuasively turned away Bharata. [1-1-37b, 38a]
स कामम् अनवाप्य एव राम पादा उपस्पृशन् || १-१-३८
नन्दि ग्रामे अकरोत् राज्यम् राम आगमन कांक्षया |
"Unfulfilled is the desire of Bharata in taking back Rama to kingdom, hence on touching Rama's feet and taking sandals, he returned from Chitrakuta, and without ruling from capital Ayodhya, he carried on the kingdom from a village called Nandigrama, with an expectation of Rama's return... [1-1-38b, 39a]
गते तु भरते श्रीमान् सत्य सन्धो जितेन्द्रियः || १-१-३९
रामः तु पुनः आलक्ष्य नागरस्य जनस्य च |
तत्र आगमनम् एकाग्रो दण्डकान् प्रविवेश ह |१-१-४०
"On the departure of Bharata, that effulgent one, for his self-effulgence is not marred by the arrival of Bharata with an incitement; that truth-bound one, for his truthfulness is undeterred even by the supplications to return to capital by Bharata, Kausalya, and even Kaikeyi; that self-controlled one, for the lure of kingdom has not controlled his senses, such as he is, he that Rama foresaw the repeated arrival of citizens, other subjects, or even Bharata to that place. Hence Rama indeed entered Dandaka forest, determinedly about his plighted promise to undergo exile and decidedly about the elimination of demons... [1-1-39b, 40]
प्रविश्य तु महाअरण्यम् रामो राजीव लोचनः |
विराधम् राक्षसम् हत्वा शरभंगम् ददर्श ह || १-१-४१
सुतीक्ष्णम् च अपि अगस्त्यम् च अगस्त्य भ्रातरम् तथा |
"That lotus-eyed Rama on his entering the vast of Dandaka forest eliminated the demon Viraadha, and indeed descried Sage Sharabhanga, also even Sage Suteekhsna, also Sage Agastya and likewise Sage Agastya's brother... [1-1-41, 42a]
अगस्त्य वचनात् च एव जग्राह ऐन्द्रम् शरासनम् || १-१-४२
खड्गम् च परम प्रीतः तूणी च अक्षय सायकौ |
"On the advice of Sage Agastya Rama took a bow of Indra from Sage Agastya, which Indra once gave to Sage Agastya, along with a sword, and two quivers in which arrows will be ever-replenishing, and thus Rama is highly pleased to receive befitting weaponry... [1-1-42b, 42a]
वसतः तस्य रामस्य वने वन चरैः सह || १-१-४३
ऋषयः अभ्यागमन् सर्वे वधाय असुर रक्षसाम् |
"While Rama is staying in the forest of Sage Sharabhanga, all the sages and forest moving ascetics, vaanaprashta-s, have approached him for the elimination of monsters and menacers... [1-1-42b, 43a]
स तेषाम् प्रति शुश्राव राक्षसानाम् तथा वने || १-१-४४
प्रतिज्ञातः च रामेण वधः संयति रक्षसाम् |
ऋषीणाम् अग्नि कल्पानाम् दंडकारण्य वासीनाम् || १-१-४५
"Rama conceded to the supplications of those sages of that forest, which forest has become an abode of demons, and Rama also promised those sages who are the dwellers of Dandaka forest, and whose glow is like that of the Ritual-fire, to eliminate all of the demons in combat... [1-1-44b, 45]
तेन तत्र एव वसता जनस्थान निवासिनी |
विरूपिता शूर्पणखा राक्षसी काम रूपिणी || १-१-४६
"While Rama is living there in Dandaka forest, a guise-changing demoness named Shuurpanakha, who is a resident of Janasthaana, a place in Dandaka forest, is disfigured... [1-1-46]
ततः शूर्पणखा वाक्यात् उद्युक्तान् सर्व राक्षसान् |
खरम् त्रिशिरसम् च एव दूषणम् च एव राक्षसम् || १-१-४७
निजघान रणे रामः तेषाम् च एव पद अनुगान् |
"Then in a combat Rama eliminated all the fourteen demons who rebelliously came at him in the first round of combat incited by the provokes of Shuurpanakha, and then in second round Rama eliminated demon chiefs called Khara, Trishira, Duushana, who are none but the cousins of Shuurpanakha and Ravana, together with all of their hench-demons... [1-1-47, 48a]
वने तस्मिन् निवसता जनस्थान निवासिनाम् || १-१-४८
रक्षसाम् निहतानि असन् सहस्राणि चतुर् दश |
"During his stay in Dandaka forest Rama eliminated fourteen thousand demons in all, who are the inhabitants of that very forest... [1-1-48b, 49a]
ततो ज्ञाति वधम् श्रुत्वा रावणः क्रोध मूर्छितः || १-१-४९
सहायम् वरयामास मारीचम् नाम राक्षसम् |
"Then on hearing the slaughter of his cousins, Ravana is convulsed in anger and sought the help of a demon named Maareecha... [1-1-49b, 50a]
वार्यमाणः सुबहुशो मारीचेन स रावणः || १-१-५०
न विरोधो बलवता क्षमो रावण तेन ते |
"But Maareecha deterred Ravana telling him time and again, 'oh, Ravana, unpardonable will be your rivalry with that formidable Rama, formidable because fourteen thousand clansmen of ours could not triumph over him...' [1-1-50b, 51a]
अनादृत्य तु तत् वाक्यम् रावणः काल चोदितः || १-१-५१
जगाम सह मारीचः तस्य आश्रम पदम् तदा |
"Then heedless of Maareecha's advice and ushered by the time of his own doom, Ravana advanced to the threshold of Rama's hermitage along with Maareecha... [1-1-51b, 52a]
तेन मायाविना दूरम् अपवाह्य नृप आत्मजौ || १-१-५२
जहार भार्याम् रामस्य गृध्रम् हत्वा जटायुषम् |
"Ravana stole the wife of Rama, namely Seetha, by getting the princes Rama and Lakshmana distracted distantly from their hermitage through the trickster Maareecha, and after putting the eagle Jatayu, which came to Seetha's rescue, to sword... [1-1-52b, 53a]
गृध्रम् च निहतम् दृष्ट्वा हृताम् श्रुत्वा च मैथिलीम् || १-१-५३
राघवः शोक संतप्तो विललाप आकुल इन्द्रियः |
"On seeing the eagle Jatayu almost dead and on hearing from the same eagle that Maithili is stolen, seethed with anguish and senses frenzied Raghava bewailed... [1-1-53b, 54a]
ततः तेन एव शोकेन गृध्रम् दग्ध्वा जटायुषम् || १-१-५४
मार्गमाणो वने सीताम् राक्षसम् संददर्श ह |
कबंधम् नाम रूपेण विकृतम् घोर दर्शनम् || १-१-५५
"Rama then cremated that eagle Jataayu in that anguish, and while searching for Seetha in forest, he indeed saw a demon named Kabandha, who is misshapen in his look and monstrous to look to... [1-1-54b, 55]
तम् निहत्य महाबाहुः ददाह स्वर्गतः च सः |
स च अस्य कथयामास शबरीम् धर्म चारिणीम् || १-१-५६
श्रमणाम् धर्म निपुणाम् अभिगच्छ इति राघव |
"That Rama whose arms are highly powerful has eliminated and cremated that demon Kabandha, and Kabandha while going heavenward told Rama, 'oh, Raghava, proceed to the ascetic lady of right-conduct and an expert in rightness, namely Shabari...' and vanished... [1-1-56, 57a]
सः अभ्य गच्छन् महातेजाः शबरीम् शत्रु सूदनः || १-१-५७
शबर्या पूजितः संयक् रामो दशरथ आत्मजः |
"He who is a great-resplendent one and an enemy-eliminator, that son of Dasharatha, Rama arrived close at Shabari, and Shabari venerated him, thoroughly... [1-1-57b, 58a]
पंपा तीरे हनुमता संगतो वानरेण ह || १-१-५८
हनुमत् वचनात् च एव सुग्रीवेण समागतः |
"Rama met the vanara Hanuma on the banks of Lake Pampa, and upon the word of Hanuma Rama indeed befriended Sugreeva... [1-1-58b, 59b]
सुग्रीवाय च तत् सर्वम् शंसत् रामो महाबलः || १-१-५९
आदितः तत् यथा वृत्तम् सीतायाः च विशेषतः |
"That highly dynamic Rama detailed to Sugreeva, and even to Hanuma, all that has happened from the beginning in general, and the abduction of Seetha, in particular... [1-1-59b, 60a]
सुग्रीवः च अपि तत् सर्वम् श्रुत्वा रामस्य वानरः || १-१-६०
चकार सख्यम् रामेण प्रीतः च एव अग्नि साक्षिकम् |
"On listening all that has happened from Rama, that vanara Sugreeva befriended Rama where the witness for that friendship is flaring fire, for it alone is auspicious... [1-1-60b, 61a]
ततो वानर राजेन वैर अनुकथनम् प्रति || १-१-६१
रामाय आवेदितम् सर्वम् प्रणयात् दुःखितेन च |
"Then that woeful king of monkeys Sugreeva woefully informed Rama about his saga of feud with his brother Vali in reply to Rama's query, in friendship and in its entirety... [1-1-61b, 62a]
प्रतिज्ञातम् च रामेण तदा वालि वधम् प्रति || १-१-६२
वालिनः च बलम् तत्र कथयामास वानरः |
"Then Rama solemnly promised Sugreeva to eliminate Vali in retaliation to his foul deeds in respect of Sugreeva and of probity as well, and then that vanara Sugreeva started to tell about the sinews of Vali... [1-1-62b, 63a]
सुग्रीवः शंकितः च आसीत् नित्यम् वीर्येण राघवे || १-१-६३
राघवः प्रत्ययार्थम् तु दुंदुभेः कायम् उत्तमम् |
दर्शयामास सुग्रीवः महापर्वत संनिभम् || १-१-६४
"Sugreeva always remained doubtful about the powers of Raghava and by reason of confiding in Raghava's prowess for himself, and by reason of making Raghava to confide in the powers of Vali, Sugreeva has shown him the massive remains of demon Dundubhi, which is similar to a great mountain... [1-1-63b, 64]
उत्स्मयित्वा महाबाहुः प्रेक्ष्य च अस्ति महाबलः |
पाद अंगुष्टेन चिक्षेप संपूर्णम् दश योजनम् || १-१-६५
That omni-dextrous Rama looked at the skeleton, smiled in aplomb, then that very energetic Rama flicked that skeleton with tip of his foot's big toe wholly to a ten yojana-lengths... yet Sugreeva's confidence remained apathetic... [1-1-65]
बिभेद च पुनः सालान् सप्त एकेन महा इषुणा |
गिरिम् रसातलम् चैव जनयन् प्रत्ययम् तथा || १-१-६६
"Again Rama ripped seven massive trees called sala trees with only one great arrow, which not only rived the trees but also rent through a mountain, and to the nethermost subterranean of earth, in order to inculcate certainty in Sugreeva... [1-1-66]
ततः प्रीत मनाः तेन विश्वस्तः स महाकपिः |
किष्किंधाम् राम सहितो जगाम च गुहाम् तदा || १-१-६७
"Then Sugreeva's heart is gladdened by that act of Rama and also at the prospect of his own success, and then that great monkey confiding in Rama advanced to the cave like Kishkindha along with Rama... [1-1-67]
ततः अगर्जत् हरिवरः सुग्रीवो हेम पिंगलः |
तेन नादेन महता निर्जगाम हरीश्वरः || १-१-६८
"Then that best monkey Sugreeva whose body-hue is golden war-whooped at the entrance of cave like Kishkindha, by which loud shouting there emerged Vali, the king of monkeys, out of that cave like Kishkindha... [1-1-68]
अनुमान्य तदा ताराम् सुग्रीवेण समागतः |
निजघान च तत्र एनम् शरेण एकेन राघवः || १-१-६९
"Vali came out only on pacifying Tara, his wife, who deterred Vali from going to meet Sugreeva in a combat, as she doubted that Sugreeva must have come with Rama, and then Vali met Sugreeva head on... and therein that duel Raghava eliminated Vali, only with one arrow... [1-1-69]
ततः सुग्रीव वचनात् हत्वा वालिनम् आहवे |
सुग्रीवम् एव तत् राज्ये राघवः प्रत्यपादयत् || १-१-७०
"On eliminating Vali in combat upon the word of Sugreeva, then Rama established Sugreeva alone for that kingdom as its king... [1-1-70]
स च सर्वान् समानीय वानरान् वानरर्षभः |
दिशः प्रस्थापयामास दिदृक्षुः जनक आत्मजाम् || १-१-७१
"Sugreeva being the ablest among monkeys summoned all of the monkeys and sent them forth in all directions in search of Seetha, the daughter of Janaka... [1-1-71]
ततो गृध्रस्य वचनात् संपातेः हनुमान् बली |
शत योजन विस्तीर्णम् पुप्लुवे लवण अर्णवम् || १-१-७२
"Then, upon the word of Sampaati, the eagle and elder brother of Jataayu, the efficacious Hanuma leaped forth the salty ocean, which breadth-wise is in a hundred yojana-s... [1-1-72]
तत्र लंकाम् समासाद्य पुरीम् रावण पालिताम् |
ददर्श सीताम् ध्यायन्तीम् अशोक वनिकाम् गताम् || १-१-७३
"On reaching the city Lanka ruled by Ravana, Hanuma has seen Seetha, where she is lodged in Ashoka gardens and meditating on Rama alone... [1-1-73]
निवेदयित्वा अभिज्ञानम् प्रवृत्तिम् च निवेद्य च |
समाश्वास्य च वैदेहीम् मर्दयामास तोरणम् || १-१-७४
"Hanuma on presenting the remembrancer, an emblematic ring of Rama to Seetha, also on delineating the sad disposition of Rama to her, thus on solacing Vaidehi, he started to smash the welcome-arch of that beautiful Ashoka gardens... [1-1-74]
पंच सेन अग्रगान् हत्वा सप्त मंत्रि सुतान् अपि |
शूरम् अक्षम् च निष्पिष्य ग्रहणम् समुपागमत् || १-१-७५
"On wiping out five army chiefs, seven sons of ministers, and on kneading down a gallant demon named Aksha Kumara, Hanuma had to enter into the captivity of a powerful weapon darted by Indrajit, the son of Ravana... [1-1-75]
अस्त्रेण उन्मुक्तम् आत्मानम् ज्ञात्वा पैतामहात् वरात् |
मर्षयन् राक्षसान् वीरो यन्त्रिणः तान् यदृच्छया || १-१-७६
ततो दग्ध्वा पुरीम् लंकाम् ऋते सीताम् च मैथिलीम् |
रामाय प्रियम् आख्यातुम् पुनः आयात् महाकपिः || १-१-७७
"Though the release from the weapon's captivity is known to him by the boon of Brahma, and though he is valiant enough to pulverise all the demons, but to see and talk to Ravana, thus to gauge the strength of enemy, Hanuma is intentionally tolerant of the demons and their making monkey of him when they fastened him with ropes and dragged him to Ravana's court. After an audience with Ravana Hanuma burnt that city Lanka, except where Seetha, the princess of Mithila is stationed, and then to narrate the pleasant news of locating Seetha, he again got back to Rama, for he is a great monkey... [1-1-76, 77]
सः अभिगंय महात्मानम् कृत्वा रामम् प्रदक्षिणम् |
न्यवेदयत् अमेयात्मा दृष्टा सीता इति तत्त्वतः || १-१-७८
"That inestimable intellectual Hanuma on approaching that great-souled Rama, and on performing circumambulation around him in reverence, subtly submitted that, 'Seen... Seetha...' [1-1-78]
ततः सुग्रीव सहितो गत्वा तीरम् महा उदधेः |
समुद्रम् क्षोभयामास शरैः आदित्य सन्निभैः || १-१-७९
"Then, Rama along with Sugreeva and other monkeys has gone to the seashore of Great Ocean, and when Ocean-god is unyielding to give way, then he started to put the Ocean-god to turmoil with his arrows, as with Sun-god who puts an ocean to turmoil with his sunrays... [1-1-79]
दर्शयामास च आत्मानम् समुद्रः सरिताम् पतिः |
समुद्र वचनात् च एव नलम् सेतुम् अकारयत् || १-१-८०
"The Ocean-god revealed himself and upon the word of that Ocean-god alone, Rama put up vanara Nala to build a bridge across the ocean... [1-1-80]
तेन गत्वा पुरीम् लंकाम् हत्वा रावणम् आहवे |
रामः सीताम् अनुप्राप्य पराम् व्रीडाम् उपागमत् || १-१-८१
"On going to the city Lanka by that bridge and on eliminating Ravana in battle, Rama redeemed Seetha, but he subsequently came down with much humiliation, since redeeming Seetha in enemy's place might become controversial... [1-1-81]
ताम् उवाच ततः रामः परुषम् जन संसदि |
अमृष्यमाणा सा सीता विवेश ज्वलनम् सती || १-१-८२
"Then Rama spoke harsh words to Seetha among the assemblages of monkeys, demons, and others, but she that Seetha being husband-devout has entered the burning fire intolerant of those unkindly words of Rama... [1-1-82]
ततः अग्नि वचनात् सीताम् ज्ञात्वा विगत कल्मषाम् |
कर्मणा तेन महता त्रैलोक्यम् स चराचरम् || १-१-८३
स देवर्षि गणम् तुष्टम् राघवस्य महात्मनः ||
बभौ रामः संप्रहृष्टः पूजितः सर्व देवतैः || १-१-८४
"Then, upon the word Fire-god,, and Rama realised that Seetha is rid of sins and he is very highly gladdened. And when all the gods reverenced him for his great accomplishment in eliminating Ravana, Rama shone forth with his self-resplendence. Thus all the three worlds inclusive of their mobile and sessile beings, all gods with the observances of hermits have become exultant for this great accomplishment of the great souled Raghava... [1-1-83, 84]
अभ्यषिच्य च लंकायाम् राक्षस इन्द्रम् विभीषणम् |
कृतकृत्यः तदा रामो विज्वरः प्रमुमोद ह || १-१-८५
"Enthroning Vibheeshana as the chieftain of demons in Lanka, then feeling that his task is fulfilled, Rama indeed rejoiced highly getting rid of febrility about any uncertainty of fulfilling his promises, excepting for Jatayu... [1-1-85]
देवताभ्यो वराम् प्राप्य समुत्थाप्य च वानरान् |
अयोध्याम् प्रस्थितः रामः पुष्पकेण सुहृत् वृतः || १-१-८६
"Rama obtained boon from gods to get all the dead monkeys up on their feet as though woken up from sleep, and he travelled towards Ayodhya by Pushpaka aircraft, with all the good hearted friends around him... [1-1-86]
भरद्वाज आश्रमम् गत्वा रामः सत्यपराक्रमः |
भरतस्य अंतिकम् रामो हनूमंतम् व्यसर्जयत् || १-१-८७
"Rama, the truth-valiant, has gone to the hermitage of Sage Bharadwaja en route, and he has also sent Hanuma to the near of Bharata beforehand... [1-1-87]
पुनः आख्यायिकाम् जल्पन् सुग्रीव सहितः तदा |
पुष्पकम् तत् समारूह्य नंदिग्रामम् ययौ तदा || १-१-८८
"Then on boarding Pushpaka aircraft again after leaving the hermitage of Bharadwaja, and telling episodes jovially to Sugreeva and others about the events in the days of his exile in forests, while flying overhead of the very same places, Rama went to Nandigrama, where Bharata is available... [1-1-88]
नंदिग्रामे जटाम् हित्वा भ्रातृभिः सहितो अनघः |
रामः सीताम् अनुप्राप्य राज्यम् पुनः अवाप्तवान् || १-१-८९
"That impeccable Rama rejoining with all of his brothers in the village Nandigrama removed his matted locks of hair along with them. Thus he, on regaining Seetha and on discarding hermit's role again became a householder, and he regained his kingdom also... [1-1-89]
प्रहृष्टो मुदितो लोकः तुष्टः पुष्टः सुधार्मिकः |
निरामयो हि अरोगः च दुर्भिक्ष भय वर्जितः || १-१-९०
"When Rama is enthroned then the world will be highly regaled and rejoiced, exuberant and abundant, also rightly righteous, trouble-free, disease-free, and free from fear of famine..." Thus Narada is foreseeing the future and telling Valmiki. [1-1-90]
न पुत्र मरणम् केचित् द्रक्ष्यन्ति पुरुषाः क्वचित् |
नार्यः च अविधवा नित्यम् भविष्यन्ति पति व्रताः || १-१-९१
"While Rama is on the throne men will not see the deaths of their children anywhere in their lifetime, and the ladies will remain husband-devout and unwidowed during their lifetime... [1-1-91]
न च अग्निजम् भयम् किन्चित् न अप्सु मज्जन्ति जन्तवः |
न वातजम् भयम् किन्चित् न अपि ज्वर कृतम् तथा || १-१-९२
न च अपि क्षुत् भयम् तत्र न तस्कर भयम् तथा |
"In the kingdom of Rama there is no fear for subjects from wildfires, gale-storms or from diseases, and there is no fear from hunger or thieves, nor the cattle is drowned in floodwaters, as well... [1-1-92, 93a]
नगराणि च राष्ट्राणि धन धान्य युतानि च || १-१-९३
नित्यम् प्रमुदिताः सर्वे यथा कृत युगे तथा |
"May it be a township or a remote province, it will be replete with coin and grain, and as to how people lived in high gladness during the earlier Krita era, likewise people will live in Rama's period also with the same gladness... [1-1-93b, 94a]
अश्वमेध शतैः इष्ट्वा तथा बहु सुवर्णकैः || १-१-९४
गवाम् कोट्ययुतम् दत्त्वा विद्वभ्यो विधि पूर्वकम् |
असंख्येयम् धनम् दत्त्वा ब्राह्मणेभो महायशाः || १-१-९५
"On performing hundreds of Horse-Rituals and rituals wherein plenteous gold is bounteously donated, likewise on donating millions of cows and uncountable wealth to Brahmans and scholars, that highly illustrious Rama will proceed to Brahma's abode, in future... [1-1-94b, 95a]
राज वंशान् शत गुणान् स्थाप इष्यति राघवः |
चातुर् वर्ण्यम् च लोके अस्मिन् स्वे स्वे धर्मे नियोक्ष्यति || १-१-९६
"In this world Raghava will establish kingly dynasties in hundredfold and he will be maintaining the four-caste system positing each in his own probity, may it be caste-bound or provincial-kingdom-bound probity, in order to achieve a perfect social harmony... [1-1-96]
दश वर्ष सहस्राणि दश वर्ष शतानि च |
रामो राज्यम् उपासित्वा ब्रह्म लोकम् प्रयास्यति || १-१-९७
"On reverencing the kingdom for ten thousand years plus another one thousand years, i.e. for a total of eleven thousand years, Rama voyages to the abode of Brahma... [1-1-97]
इदम् पवित्रम् पापघ्नम् पुण्यम् वेदैः च संमितम् |
यः पठेत् राम चरितम् सर्व पापैः प्रमुच्यते || १-१-९८
"This Ramayana is holy, sin-eradicating, merit-endowing, and conformable with the teachings of all Vedas... and whoever reads this Legend of Rama, he will be verily liberated of all his sins... [1-1-98]
एतत् आख्यानम् आयुष्यम् पठन् रामायणम् नरः |
स पुत्र पौत्रः स गणः प्रेत्य स्वर्गे महीयते || १-१-९९
"Any man who reads this lifespan-enriching narrative of actuality, Ramayana, the peregrination of Rama, he will be enjoying worldly pleasures with his sons and grand sons and with assemblages of kinfolks, servants et al., as long as he is in this mortal world and on his demise, he will be adored in heaven... [1-1-99]
पठन् द्विजो वाक् ऋषभत्वम् ईयात् |
स्यात् क्षत्रियो भूमि पतित्वम् ईयात् ||
वणिक् जनः पण्य फलत्वम् ईयात् |
जनः च शूद्रो अपि महत्त्वम् ईयात् || १-१-१००
"A man reading this Ramayana happens to be a Brahman, one from teaching-class, he obtains excellency in his speech, and should he be Kshatriya person from ruling-class, he obtains land-lordship, and should he be Vyshya person from trading-class, he accrues monetary-gains, and should he be a Shudra person from working class, he acquires his personal excellence..." Thus Sage Narada gave a gist of Ramayana to Sage-poet Valmiki. [1-1-100]
श्लोकेन प्रति साहस्रं प्रथमे क्रमात् |
गायत्रि अक्षरम् एकैकम् स्थापयामास वै मुनिः ||

१. त -
तपः स्वाध्याय निरताम् तपस्वी वाग्विदाम् वरम् |
नारदम् परि पप्रच्छ वाल्मीकिर् मुनि पुंगवम् || १-१-१
२. स -
स हत्वा राक्षसान् सर्वान् यज्ञ घ्नान् रघुनंदनः |
ऋषिभिः पूजितः तत्र यथा इन्द्रो विजये पुरा || १-३०-२४
३. वि -
विश्वामित्रः स रामास्तु श्रुत्वा जनक भाषितम् |
वत्स राम धनुः पश्य इति राघवम् अब्रवीत् || १-६७-१२ - बालकाण्डम्
४. तु -
तुष्टाव अस्य तदा वंशम् प्रविश्य स विशाम् पतेः |
शयनीयम् नरेन्द्रस्य तत् आसाद्य व्यतिष्टत || २-१५-१९
५. व -
वनवासम् हि संख्याय वासांसि आभरणानि च |
भर्तारम् अनुगच्छंत्यै सीतायै श्वशुरो ददौ || २-४०-१४
६. रा -
राजा सत्यम् च धर्मः च राजा कुलवताम् कुलम् |
राजा माता पित चैव राजा हितकरो नृणाम् || २-६७-३४
७. नि -
निरीक्ष्य स मुहूर्तम् तु ददर्श भरतो गुरुम् |
उटजे रामम् आसीनम् जटा मण्दल धारिणम् || २-९९-२५ - अयोध्याकाण्डम्
८. य -
यदि बुद्धिः कृता द्रष्टुम् अगस्त्यम् तम् महामुनिम् |
अद्य एव गमने रोचयस्व महायशः || ३-११-४४
९. भ -
भरतस्य आर्य पुत्रस्य श्वश्रूणाम् मम च प्रभो |
मृग रुपम् इदम् व्यक्तम् विस्मयम् जनयिष्यति || ३-४३-१८
१०. ग -
गच्छ शीघ्रम् इतो राम सुग्रीवम् तम् महाबलम् |
वयस्यम् तम् कुरु क्षिप्रम् इतो गत्वा अद्य राघव || ३-७२-१७ - अरण्यकाण्डम्
११. दे -
देश कालौ प्रतीक्षस्व क्षममाणः प्रिय अप्रिये |
सुख दुःख सहः कले सुग्रीव वशगो भव || ४-२२-२०
१२. व -
वंद्याः ते तु तपः सिद्ध सप्तसा वीत कल्मषाः |
प्रष्टव्याः ते अपि सीतायाः प्रवृत्तिम् विनय अन्वितैः || ४-४३-३३ - किष्किन्धाकाण्डम्
१३. स -
स निर्जित्य पुरिम् श्रेष्टाम् लंकाम् ताम् काम रूपिणीम् |
विक्रमेण महतेजा हनुमान् मारुत आत्मज || ५-४-१
१४. ध -
धन्या देवाः स गन्धर्वा सिद्धाः च परम ऋषयः |
मम पश्यन्ति ये नाथम् रामम् राजीव लोचनम् || ५-२६-४१
१५. म -
मंगलाभिमुखी तस्य सा तदा आसित् महाकपेः |
उपतस्थे विशालाक्षी प्रयता हव्यवाहनम् || ५-५३-२८ - सुन्दरकाण्डम्
१६. हि -
हितम् महार्थम् मृदु हेतु संहितम्
व्यतीत कालायति संप्रति क्षमम् |
निशंय तद् वाक्यम् उपस्थित ज्वरः
प्रसंगवान् उत्तरम् एतत् अब्रवीत् || ६-१०-२७
१७. ध -
धर्मात्मा रक्षसाम् श्रेष्टः संप्राप्तो अयम् विभीषणः |
लंकैश्वर्यम् ध्रुवम् श्रीमान् अयम् प्राप्नोति अकण्टकम् || ६-४१-६७
१८. यो -
यो वज्र पाता अशनि सन्निपातान्
न चुक्षुभे वा अपि चचाल राजा |
स राम बाणा अभिहतो भृश आर्तः
चचाल चापम् च मुमोच वीरः || ६-५९-१४१
१९. य -
यस्य विक्रमम् आसाद्य राक्षस निधनम् गताः |
तम् मन्ये राघवम् वीरम् नारायणम् अनामयम् || ६-७२-११
२०. न -
न ते ददृशिरे रामम् दहंतम् अरि वाहिनीम् |
मोहिताः परम अस्त्रेण गान्धर्वेण महात्मना || ६-९३-२६
२१. प्र -
प्रणंय देवताभ्यः च ब्राह्मणेभ्यः च मैथिली |
बद्ध अंजली पुटा च इदम् उवाच अग्नि समीपतः || ६-११६-२४ - युद्धकाण्डम्
२२. च -
चलनात् पर्वत इन्द्रस्य गणा देवाः च कंपिताः |
चचाल पार्वती च अपि तदा आश्लिष्टा महेश्वरम् || ७-१६-२६
२३. द -
दाराः पुत्रा पुरम् राष्ट्रम् भोग आच्छादन भाजनम् |
सर्वम् एव अविभक्तम् नो भविष्यति हरि ईश्वरः || ७-३४-४१
२४. य -
याम् एव रात्रिम् शत्रुघ्नः पर्ण शालाम् समाविशत् |
ताम् एव रात्रिम् सीता अपि प्रसूता दाकर द्वयम् || ७-६६-१ - उत्तरकाण्डम्

इदम् रामायणम् कृत्स्नम् गायत्री बीज संयुतम् |
त्रि संध्यम् यः पठेत् नित्यम् सर्व पापैः प्रमुच्यते ||

यावत् आवर्तते चक्रम् यावति च वसुंधरा |
तावत् वर्ष सहस्राणि स्वामित्वम् अवधारय ||
मंगलम् कोसलेन्द्राय महनीय गुणात्मने |
चक्रवर्ति तनूजाय सार्वभौमाय मंगलम् ||

इति गायत्री रामायणम् संपूर्णम्
इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये बाल काण्डे प्रथमः सर्गः ||